Not Exactly As Planned: A Memoir of Adoption, Secrets and Abiding Love

by Linda Rosenbaum

Not Exactly as Planned is a captivating, deeply moving account of adoption and the unexpected challenges of raising a child with fetal alcohol syndrome. Rosenbaum writes about family, community and the ability to rise above a tragic diagnosis with insight and clarity, while weaving in the everyday aspects of life: birdwatching, bar mitzvahs, saving the Toronto Islands, the collision of 60s idealism with the real world,and family secrets. With compassion and humour, she tells a story that is achingly unique yet universal to all parents.

Genres: Adoption, Biography Memoir

253 pages, Paperback

First published October 20, 2014

Reviews

[Rita Bookreader]

I really loved this book and it was such a pleasant surprise, not expecting much as it was my second book in a row on adoption. What an unusual and true story and it was almost a cliffhanger to see how it resolved. Not that life is ever resolved -- but the sensitivity of these parents and elegant writing by the mom combined into quite a lovely read. Recommended.

[Meg]

This book discussed life before children, it touched on depression and anxiety, it talked about adoption, and was largely about raising a Jewish family. I found there was very little information on FAS...in fact, if i hadn't read other books first, i wouldn't know much about FAS at all. It just wasn't what i was looking for.

Bonnie Buxtons "damaged angels" is a much more informative read...statistics, and negative and positive tidbits about FAS.